Hello there

just after some advice - me & my OH were granted our visas back in February and our flying out to Sydney on 2nd July.

we intend to find a long term let once we get there for 6 months or so but want to have something booked for the the first month before we go....ideally want an apartment/holiday let or something similar....has anyone got any hints or tips as to any websites that we could look at or can recommend anywhere????

many thanks

jo

I'm not sure. My partner and I will be arriving in Sydney in the middle of July. We have no idea as of yet where we will be staying. I would love to have somewhere ready for us so we don't have to stay in a hotel or hostel but this seems unrealistic. I have looked up about rental accommodation and it is very much in demand. I read that for every decent rental there are about 20 people wanting it. It is also expensive - even comparing to Dublin(which sometimes seems like its the most expensive city in the world).

I also have a job to go to in July so do not have direct experience of leaving UK and having to find somewhere to live. Bur we have visited Sydney a couple of times and in CBD there are serviced appartments which are studio flats / 1 bedders that we have stayed in. We have been told by friends that they are ideal for people turining up to live in Sydney for first few weeks prior to a a long term rental. We note from real estate websites that there are also a lot of furnished appartments for rental in CBD. I think they all get taken very quickly though. We will book a serviced apartment for 2-3 weeks. Last time we stayed in Medina appartments in Hosking Place very near the main transport hub Circular Keys.

And can you remember how expensive this was? Congrats on the job, btw.

Thanks. Just checked with OH - we have stayed in 3 serviced appartments which were 1 bedders incl kitchen ' living space / sep bedroom.

Sydney 2007/08 over new year (you pay a premium because of new years) @ A$240 per night (Medina Hosking Place)

Brisbane Dec 07 A$150 per night

Melbourne Jan 07 A$140 per night

We stayed at:

http://www.meritonapartments.com.au/

On both a visit in October and when we arrived in January. Its a great spot and all the apartments are above the 65th flor so good views of the city. A little expensive but worth it IMHO.

Try www.stayz.com.au there are quite a few apartments and houses on there for shorter term rentals.

Thanks to you all for this....i will look into your suggestions and see how we get on...

cheers

jo

Hello

I really does depend on what you want and your budget.........

I have just flown into Sydney this Monday and found a great little place called Perouse Lodge in Randwick. Its approx 10 minutes walk to Coogee beach and you can get a bus straight from the front door to the centre of sydney in about 20 mins which is brilliant.

Here is the link to the website showing some pictures, ok the rooms are small, but they are really clean and the ensuite shower is one of the most powerful showers I have ever used and we have stayed in a lot of hotels over the years! - http://www.therandwicklodges.com/perouse.html

I originally booked it via this website called wotif.com for three days at $90 per night. However after the second night, I spoke to the reception and they cut me a brilliant deal at $65 per day for a ensuite double.
http://www.wotif.com/?country=AR

They charge $25 dollars for wireless internet access as well for the week which is a great price as most internet cafe's charge anything from $3-6 dollars for an hour.

The great beauty of this place is that the bus is straight out of the door to the city, "The Spot" which has some great little restaurants is approx 150m away and you have the Randwick cinema nearby as well. Also you can be on the beach at Coogee in approx 10 mins or a 5 min bus ride. Once your at Coogee beachside, there are loads of restaurants and bars to choose from. Also you can walk to Bondi alone the cliff path which is a great way to spend a sunday morning and grab some brunch in one of the cafes in one of the bays on the way to Bondi.

Also when you do get to Sydney - make sure you buy one of the great value bus/train/ferry tickets.

Blue ticket = buses/ferries = $33 fora week's unlimited

Red ticket = buses/trains/ferries = $35 for a week's unlimited travel

This means you can all the harbour and ride on all the ferries for a bargain price, this is one of the best ways to see sydney.

If you need any more info, feel free to pm me

Hope this helps

AberJazz

Try: www.parkagency.com.au/

The important thing I think is to choose somewhere nice - maybe a bit more than you'd like to pay - in a nice area. First impressions are important and you don't know how emotional you'll be on arriving, so being in a nice place will place a difference.

Hi AberJazz,
Thats great value. They say on the site its $105 a day do you reckon they would give a good discount for amonths stay? I know of a young professional female heading to Sydney and is looking for a month short stay

Hello

The best bet is to phone up, as you get a much better rate! This place is cheap, right on the bus route to the city and it has 10-15 restaurants within 100m of the place, and is right next to the Randwick cinema. In addition to this, I paid $25 dollars for a week's internet connection (wireless) and after a week, they have renewed it for the second week for free.

I can't fault the place, its cheap, clean and just right for someone to stay for a short period of time. Downstairs they have a small kitchen and laundry. It takes about 10-15 mins to walk down to the beach at coogee and a coles supermarket is only 5 mins walk away as well.

For me this has been a great find and my two weeks here have been comfortable and just the ticket. I'm moving out on Friday (ANZAC Day) to share an art deco flat right on the beach at coogee. I have already timed the walk from the front door to the beach, its 60 secs!

The best way to call the lodge is by using one of the companies on this website, you can call australia from about 1/2p a minute http://callchecker.moneysavingexpert...checker/minute.

You can also pm me the dates you want and I can pop down to reception tomorrow and find out the price for a month. If you stay over a week then they start to discount.

Hope this helps

AberJazz

we stayed at the lane cove appartments here:
http://www.riverview.com.au/

I would recommend them so long as you have a car. Bus into city goes from 2 min walk up the road. Ferry from Hunters Hill a half hour journey plus the 5 min drive to the ferry port. Suited us as a family of 4 with 2 young kids